Assessment

Share markets – part logic, part intuition:
solid and fragile
my broker said, “ I love monopolies,” and
“ son don’t have the grocery money in the market.”
Markets –
spooked as easily as a young colt
and as nervous as a teenager hoping for his first kiss,
or more.

The company had been long established
the CEO retiring after two decades of growth,
expansion, solid returns and peer kudos
the move long signalled
the board chair persuaded to sign on for three more years
to soothe jitters …. and present certainty.
At the end of the new realm’s first year
a roadshow –
Chair plus new CEO
see we’ve done okay, the wheels didn’t fall off,
still going strong
– how about buying some more shares.

At our regional meeting the Chair is suddenly called away –
very short notice
dynamic duo now mono –
CEO alone
he opens, “ the chairman was going to tell you
how everything is going well
and what a great job I’ve done
but I guess I just have to do that myself.”